Free texting app / Android

[mrsilv04]

On my Razr M, I'm in need of a free, simple texting app.

My sister prefers to communicate via text. I have absolutely no use for texting, but whatever. That's part of the reason why I refuse to pay Verizon $10 a month for the privilege.

Is there a simple app out there that I should consider for texting? I'd be sending and receiving fewer than 25 messages a month.

Thanks.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Try google voice

 

[Rand]

google talk ?

 

[dishdude]

+1 on Google Voice, it works great on Android phones.

 

[Nyquist]

Android comes with a basic texting program that works just fine for most uses. Why not try that one.

 

[SLCraig]

I just use the built in messaging for texting... Or are you looking for something that uses data instead so you don't have to worry about SMS?

Whatsapp is popular and available across all platforms. Works a lot like BBM for Blackberry.

 

[dishdude]

He doesn't want to pay verizon for texting, Google Voice will allow him to use data instead of subscribing to a text plan.

 

[ToyotaNSaturn]

another vote for Google voice. If you pay for data, it works fine.

Works great for iPod Touches & other devices that only have standard WiFi.

 

[dwcopple]

Originally Posted By: dishdude
He doesn't want to pay verizon for texting, Google Voice will allow him to use data instead of subscribing to a text plan.
didn't know it was possible to have an android phone w/o a texting plan.

 

[mrsilv04]

Originally Posted By: dwcopple
Originally Posted By: dishdude
He doesn't want to pay verizon for texting, Google Voice will allow him to use data instead of subscribing to a text plan.
didn't know it was possible to have an android phone w/o a texting plan.


Yep. It is possible with Verizon. I told them "I don't text, and I'm not paying a bunch of money for a texting plan that I won't use".

Data plans are required, but texting plans are still optional.

Verizon offers 1000 texts for $10/month, or unlimited texts as a part of their mega expensive plan.

Even though I don't have a texting plan, I can text for 20 cents each, or 25 cents for one with images.

 

[dishdude]

Originally Posted By: dwcopple
Originally Posted By: dishdude
He doesn't want to pay verizon for texting, Google Voice will allow him to use data instead of subscribing to a text plan.
didn't know it was possible to have an android phone w/o a texting plan.


Isn't it amazing how the carriers nickel and dime consumers?

 

[dwcopple]

Originally Posted By: dishdude


Isn't it amazing how the carriers nickel and dime consumers?
that is why I said to [censored] with them and went with an Android plan from Virgin Mobile. $35/mo unlimited everything. Ported my number over and I was all set. Haven't looked back since.

 

[Smokescreen]

Text+, Text Now are great. I have used them both. They give you another phone number so you will have to let others know who you are when you send the first one to them but after that the rest is pretty much effortless.

 

[javacontour]

WhatsApp! It's IP based. We used it when we were in Italy to send text messages to family also using this App.

Google Voice also works.

 

[mrsilv04]

I reviewed all of the suggested applications, and decided to give TextNow a try.

It seemed to be the simplest and most straight forward app.

 

[mrsilv04]

Originally Posted By: dwcopple
Originally Posted By: dishdude


Isn't it amazing how the carriers nickel and dime consumers?
that is why I said to [censored] with them and went with an Android plan from Virgin Mobile. $35/mo unlimited everything. Ported my number over and I was all set. Haven't looked back since.


No offense, but I could be 10 miles from home, and be in the middle of a Virgin Mobile wasteland.

Sure, I may pay twice what you do... but I don't have to worry about having a signal when I need one.

And in some of the areas where I ride the motorcycle on vacation, (Western NC and northern AR/southern MO) I could ride 100 miles, and never be in a Virgin Mobile service area. No thanks.

 

[dwcopple]

Originally Posted By: mrsilv04
Originally Posted By: dwcopple
Originally Posted By: dishdude


Isn't it amazing how the carriers nickel and dime consumers?
that is why I said to [censored] with them and went with an Android plan from Virgin Mobile. $35/mo unlimited everything. Ported my number over and I was all set. Haven't looked back since.


No offense, but I could be 10 miles from home, and be in the middle of a Virgin Mobile wasteland.

Sure, I may pay twice what you do... but I don't have to worry about having a signal when I need one.

And in some of the areas where I ride the motorcycle on vacation, (Western NC and northern AR/southern MO) I could ride 100 miles, and never be in a Virgin Mobile service area. No thanks.

I understand. Coverage is awesome here where I live and travel to.

 

[dishdude]

Virgin Mobile uses Sprint's network so coverage shouldn't be too much of an issue.

 

[mrsilv04]

Originally Posted By: dishdude
Virgin Mobile uses Sprint's network so coverage shouldn't be too much of an issue.


Take a look at the maps on Virgin Mobile's site and Sprint's site.

There is a large difference, from looking at the maps.

 

[BearZDefect]

If I understand correctly, Virgin Mobile does use the Sprint network, but the difference is if you are a Sprint subscriber then you get to use someone else's CDMA network when you're away from Sprint signal, whereas a Virgin Mobile subscriber only gets the actual Sprint network.